Ridden by Cesar DeAlba and sent to post as the 3-10 favorite, Bh Lisas Boy defeated 29-1 longshot The Charm Of Corona by a nose in :19.537 for 400 yards. In addition to recording his fifth win in as many outs this season, the gelding banked the $68,292 winner's share of the purse.

Bh Lisas Boy has won two Grade 1 stakes this season, including the February 19, 400-yard Los Alamitos Winter Championship (G1). Both the Winter Championship and Vessels Maturity carry berths to this year's Champion of Champions (G1).

“I was leaning on the rail by the paddock about six or seven years ago watching the horses get saddled for the Champion of Champions,” Hoburg recalled. “What I would have given to have a horse like that someday. I just never thought I would have a horse as nice as those being saddled on that evening.

“It’s absolutely crazy,” he added. “There are no words to explain it. I’m just tickled to watch him run against that quality of a field in the Vessels Maturity. I was at the paddock and I thought we ran third. It was a nice horse race. The rider said he was running on his left lead and he switched leads. When he switched to the right, he went to the finish. He loves distance.”

“He’s all heart right now,” De Alba said. “He’s running on heart. He needs more distance. He was heads up with everybody. At the 350 mark I felt him starting to kick in a little more and we got there.”

A well-traveled gelding, Bh Lisas Boy has raced at seven different tracks in six states. The gelding has won 15 of 25 outs, including eight stakes, and he has banked $406,698.

“I have been poor my whole life, and I’ve turned down more money (this year) for this horse than I ever thought I would ever turned down,” Hoburg said. “This is a dream I’ve had for 40 years to have a horse like this. I’m just not going to sell my dreams. I can throw hay over the fence at him for the rest of his life.

“This horse is very easy going, but he can have a mind of his own,” he added. “When we’re done in the mornings and I lead him back to his stall, he’ll just stop and stand for five minutes before he walks into his stall. He won’t go inside until he’s ready. I don’t care, I’ll stand right there with him until he’s ready. I’ll wait all day for him if I have to. He’s a little spoiled, but he’s my horse so that’s okay. I want him happy. If he’s happy, I’m happy.”

About the Association

The American Quarter Horse Association, located in Amarillo, Texas, is the world’s largest equine breed registry and membership organization.

AQHA members share a passion for the American Quarter Horse and the vast lifestyle created by the world’s most popular horse.

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